The night of Tuesday, April 22, was one of those rare evenings when the outdoor Dallas was simply beyond perfect and Dallasites were taking full advantage of it. For instance, the Community Partners of Dallas celebrating the Dallas County Child Protective Services Caseworkers and their families at the Dallas Arboretum. It was a very special evening for those who are on the frontline of protecting children in neglectful and abusive situations.
Other activities in the area included:
2014 Crystal Charity Ball Theme Announcement Party
The first clue should have been the location of the Crystal Charity Ball theme announcement party — The Joule. As guests exited their cars curbside, they were directed to the glass elevator that took them to the rooftop terrace. Perhaps it was the weather being so spring-like, but the ladies in attendance had their brightest colors on. And those jewels!
CCB Chair Robyn Conlon, Linda Secrest, Patty Leydendecker and Shelle Sills were diamond dolls from the tips of their fingers to their ear lobes.
As soon as they got out of the elevator into the open-air terrace, word was passed, “Have you seen the model in the back?”
A couple of guests decided they would wait for “the model” to mosey in their direction. Wasn’t going to happen. The model was as stationary as the big eye across the street. In a scene akin to Dallas Blooms was model Mariah Wilcox lounging in an elevated garden setting with fern eyelash extensions and Mother Nature bustier from the brains of Jan Strimple, Tom Addis and Junior Villanueva. Twinkling among the greenery was around $3 million worth of jewelry. Yup! As Diamond Doctor David Blank looked like a proud papa, the jewels were spectacular rings in the shape of butterflies and flowers and sweeps of diamonds draped from her ears. In her up-swept brown hair were broaches and around her neck was an OMG diamond necklace.
Midway through the evening Robyn told the gathering, “I wanted to do something that had never been done before, something important to me that involved family, friends, summer in California, and Christmas. The last thing you want from Tom Addis is to have his eyes glaze over, though, so it was back to the drawing board! Then we came up with something every woman loves: flowers and jewelry. The theme is Jewels of the Garden.” The announcement was met with approval as the ladies already were thinking jewel-tone gowns and new gems to go with them.
Earlier, Bank of Texas’ Bob White thanked the group for their tireless work to help the children of Dallas and said how pleased he and his team were to be part of the effort.
Also speaking was new Joule General Manager Justine Fields, who had previously been the hotel’s chef. He joked that if they enjoyed the food being served, they could attribute it to him.
After her announcement, Robyn told the group to get back to partying.
Instead of long, drawn-out speeches, the whole reveal and follow-up lasted less than five minutes. The CCB ladies have to raise more than $5M, so there’s no time to waste.
Trails & Ales
Report from the field about the Trinity Trust’s Trails & Ales.
The Trinity Trust Rat Pack and River Rats members held the second event of its Trails & Ales series on a perfect spring evening. More than 150 people and pooches met underneath the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge to explore the soon-to-be-completed Trinity Skyline Trail that runs along the Trinity River for 4.6 miles in the Trinity River Corridor. Guests enjoyed beer and wine with sliders from the Butcher’s Son, while they played corn hole and took many photos of themselves along the skyline. Daniel Rodriguez, an acoustic guitar player, played music that set the mood for this outdoor party.
Amber Arseneaux, The Trinity Trust events and center coordinator, led the scenic walk for the group and pointed out the Trinity Skyline Trail connects to the Trinity Overlook Park and the Margaret McDermott Bridge, currently under construction. She told guests, “The Trinity Skyline Trail stretches from Commerce Bridge in West Dallas to the Sylvan Bridge, where it crosses the river and back down to Commerce on the downtown side.”
Dr. Gail Thomas, president of The Trinity Trust, said, “The view of downtown Dallas and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge from the base of the Trinity was spectacular, and we want everyone to enjoy the green space we have right here in the heart of the city.”
Tierney Kaufman, The Trinity Trust development and outreach coordinator, said, “For those who enjoyed this event, you will want to join us for our exclusive sneak peek of the Continental Avenue Bridge on May 4. In order to do so, join The Trinity Trust Rat Pack or River Rats, and you will receive an invitation before the general public opening in June.” She thanked the sponsors of the event, Ben E. Keith, Dexter & Company and Pinnacle Financial Group.
Kaufman also mentioned several upcoming Trinity related events, including the opening celebration of the Trinity Skyline Trail on June 15:
May 13: The Trinity Trust salutes Judy Kelly for her third Emmy for Bridging The Trinity For The Love Of The City, a documentary commissioned by The Trinity Trust. The event, which is free, is from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Trinity Trust, 1444 Oak Lawn Ave., Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75207. RSVP to [email protected] or 214.740.1616.
May 17: Trinity River Wind Festival – A free family and dog-friendly event that celebrates the beauty and spirit of the wide open spaces along the Trinity River right in the heart of this thriving city. Activities include the spectacular Japanese Kite Makers and other wind driven recreational fun and action at the show kite arena, Frisbee dogs, bounce houses, clowns, music and more. Visit http://TrinityRiverWindFestival.com for information.
June 15: Trinity River Revel – The Continental Avenue Bridge and the West Dallas Gateway will open for pedestrian and bike use. Also opening that day is the Trinity Skyline Trail and the Sylvan Avenue Bridge. Visit http://TrinityRiverRevel.com for the latest details.
* Photo credit: Jerry McClure